Commemorative poppy display unveiled at Rochdale Exchange

Rochdale Exchange’s poppy display

A commemorative poppy display made of thousands of handmade poppies made by local schoolchildren and The Royal British Legion has been unveiled in the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre.

The feature is currently hanging from the centre’s main square.

Pupils from across Rochdale, including youngsters from Harwood Park School, Newlands School, St Peter’s School and St Gabriel’s School and volunteers from the Royal British Legion all worked tirelessly together to create the hugely impressive exhibit in honour of British and Commonwealth servicemen and women.

Margaret Smith, Rochdale Town Centre Chaplain, said: “As Town Centre Chaplain supporting Rochdale shops and as Chaplain to Rochdale's Armed Forces Associations it has been wonderful to bring these groups together along with the schools of Rochdale to commemorate Remembrance and Armistice Days.

“This is a great example of a community working together in harmony and encouraging everyone from small children to our more mature residents.”

Lorenzo O’Reilly, Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre manager, added: “We are thrilled that we have been able to work so collaboratively with so many local children and the Royal British Legion to deliver such a moving piece of work. It is a wonderful acknowledgement and fitting tribute to our fallen heroes.

“The poppy display will be in the centre until Sunday 12 November providing our customers the opportunity to really appreciate this symbol of remembrance at their leisure.

“Thank you to everyone who has been involved in making this happen, it’s been a very successful community partnership.”